The beleaguered Korean firm said a European customer orderedthe unit in November 2012.
Though it did not name the company in question theannouncement almost certainly refers to Norway-based Sigma Drilling whichordered a drillship in conjunction with Nobu Su-linked Vantage Drilling.
The writing for that contract has been on the wall sinceSeptember when STX halted work on the unit at its Jinhae yard due to financial difficulties.
Vantage said at the time that construction of the PalladiumExplorer could continue once the Korean yard reached a restructuring settlementwith creditors.
Delivery was reset for early 2016 from an original handoverdate of November 2015 but Vantage also warned there was a possibility ofcancellation.
As TradeWinds reported in October, there were suggestionsthat creditors were trying to transfer construction of the drillship to rivalKorean yard DSME which has built all three of Vantage Drilling’s existingdrillships.
New York-listed Vantage has yet to confirm the contract hasbeen shredded.
